Migration
Universal Pictures | Release Date: December 22, 2023 CRITIC SCORE DISTRIBUTION
56
METASCORE
Mixed or average reviews based on 25 Critic Reviews
Positive:
12
Mixed:
10
Negative:
3
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Critic Reviews

Critic scorePublicationBy date
80
The TelegraphTim RobeyFeb 2, 2024
Given that this family-friendly confection looks, sounds and tastes a treat, you’d have to be fussy to quibble. Read full review
80
The Hollywood ReporterLovia GyarkyeDec 20, 2023
What’s nice about Migration is how, between the comedic bits and tangential adventures, it never loses sight of the lessons embedded in the Mallards’ story. Read full review
80
ColliderTania HussainDec 20, 2023
Migration embraces a rather touching and family-oriented narrative to weave an energetic tale of humor and sincerity. Read full review
78
Austin ChronicleKimberley JonesDec 20, 2023
Thrillingly airborne and a riot of color, Migration’s many scenes of flying are an absolute joy. Read full review
75
San Francisco ChronicleZaki HasanDec 20, 2023
The character moments here resonate, and there are enough stakes to make the final scenes feel meaningful. Read full review
73
TheWrapBen CrollDec 20, 2023
The director’s comfort with the more placid rhythms of arthouse animation results in some appealing detours whenever the frenetic narrative stops to feel the breeze. Read full review
70
Screen RantTatiana HullenderDec 20, 2023
The biggest drawback of Migration is that it doesn't play to its strengths as often as it should. Read full review
70
Los Angeles TimesMichael OrdoñaDec 20, 2023
Migration isn’t exactly unique, but it’s different enough. And in today’s factory filmmaking, that’s almost as unlikely as milking a duck. Read full review
67
IndieWireKate ErblandDec 20, 2023
It is very silly and often strange, but it’s also sweet and funny, and damn it all if you don’t start to really care about this odd little family. Read full review
63
Chicago TribuneKatie WalshDec 22, 2023
It is a family-friendly, seasonal, nondenominational holiday movie option, but it’s more fun to pick out what makes this a Mike White project, and his influence gives it a slight edge over the rest, making Migration a worthwhile journey. Read full review
63
Movie NationRoger MooreDec 20, 2023
Visually, this is a most impressive effort. But it’s not particularly smart or witty or even kiddie profound in its messaging, and in avoiding easy laughs (jokes), it achieves liftoff even if it never quite soars. Read full review
63
The Associated PressJake CoyleDec 20, 2023
Migration is vividly animated with warm cartoon tones that would do Daffy proud. But it never quite spreads its wings. Read full review
60
The Observer (UK)Wendy IdeFeb 7, 2024
A screenplay by White Lotus creator Mike White elevates proceedings with an enjoyably sardonic bite. Read full review
60
The GuardianCath ClarkeJan 31, 2024
A perfectly acceptable family animation. Read full review
55
CNNBrian LowryDec 22, 2023
The best one can say about this mildly fun film is that it runs a brisk 80-something minutes, meaning parents can take the kids and have time left over for other holiday errands. Read full review
50
Little White LiesDavid JenkinsFeb 1, 2024
Migration is not an ambitious film, and doesn’t seem to have anything important to say about why one might migrate and the lessons we can learn from this rather arduous but necessary endeavour. Read full review
50
The Seattle TimesSoren AndersenJan 5, 2024
It’s all big action. Big colorful visuals. Outsized vocal performances. Read full review
50
The New York TimesGlenn KennyDec 22, 2023
In the end, Migration moves along at jet speed while often feeling labored. Read full review
50
Washington PostKristen Page-KirbyDec 20, 2023
Migration will be remembered as neither great nor terrible. It will simply fade into the cinematic ether like so many ducks in the wind. Read full review
50
VarietyPeter DebrugeDec 20, 2023
At least the backgrounds are eye-catching, as a waddle of mallards crack jokes amid beautiful fall foliage. Read full review
50
IGNRyan GaurDec 20, 2023
Migration is satisfactory but uninspiring. Read full review
40
EmpireJohn NugentJan 30, 2024
It’s always nice to see Illumination outside of its Minions comfort zone, but Migration is mostly generic. A bit of a flightless bird. Read full review
38
RogerEbert.comPeter SobczynskiJan 2, 2024
The young ones that this film is being aimed at are of the age when the movies can genuinely be magical, and the best ones can form memories that will last a lifetime. “Migration” may pass the time, but my guess is that those kids will retain more lasting memories of whatever their parents got for them at the concession stand than anything up there on the screen. Read full review
38
Boston GlobeOdie HendersonDec 20, 2023
Parents will be tortured by this film. If the whiny adult ducks and their even whinier kids don’t give them a headache, the garish animation will. Read full review
30
SlashfilmJosh SpiegelDec 20, 2023
In spite of the pedigree of White as writer (and yes, it is that Mike White, of "The White Lotus" and "School of Rock"), and Benjamin Renner as director (following up on his very sweet and tender 2014 animated film "Ernest & Celestine"), Migration rarely approaches a level of excitement or creativity that might be hoped for with a big-budget animated feature. Read full review
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